Special Exhibition: The Doll Festival of the Owari Tokugawa Family

The gathering and exhibition of the gorgeous Hina dolls and their accessories worthy of the Owari clan, head of the three high Tokugawa clans of the Edo era. Also see the overwhelming 7-meter-wide terraced display platform with Hina dolls from the Meiji Era to the Showa era.

Schedule

The beginning of February–middle of April10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Entrance allowed until 30 minutes before closing)

Enjoy Japan's Traditional Setsubun Festivals

The Japanese word Setsubun means the parting of seasons, and in modern-day Japan, particularly represents the period between the changing of winter to spring. During this period (February 3), people throw beans around inside their houses in order to dispel evil spirits.

◆Arako KannonjiTransportation: Takabata Station on the subway, Arako Station on the Aonami LineInquiries: +81-52-361-1778Setsubun Festival (First Half): February 3, from 10:00 AM–12:00 PMSetsubun Festival (Second Half): February 3, from 1:00 PM–5:00 PMFor more details, click here.

◆RyusenjiTransportation: Ryusenjiguchi Station on the elevated bus line, the Yutorito LineInquiries: +81-52-794-3647Night Festival Before Setsubun: February 2, from 8:00 PM–12:00 AMSetsubun Festival: February 3, from 9:00 AM–6:00 PMFor more details, click here.

Schedule

February 2–3, 2018

Plum Blossom Information

Nagoya City

Nagoya Castle

Best viewing time: The end of January-beginning of MarchMore than 10 kinds of approximately 100 trees (white and red plum trees)Transportation: 5-minute walk from the Shiyakusho Station Exit 7 on the Meijo subway line, or just next to the Me~guru Nagoya Sightseeing Route Bus "③ Nagoya Castle" Bus StopWebsite

Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Gardens (closed Mondays)

Best viewing time: The middle of February-middle of March Approximately 20 kinds of approximately 200 trees (white and red plum trees)Transportation: 3-minute walk from Exit 3 of Higashiyama Koen Station on the Higashiyama subway line, or a 7-minute walk from Exit 6 of Hoshigaoka Station on the Higashiyama subway lineWebsite

Aichi Prefecture

Ogata Shrine / Inuyama City

Best viewing time: The middle of February-end of MarchApproximately 300 trees (red and white weeping plum trees)Transportation: Approximate 20-minute walk from Gakuden Station on the Meitetsu LineWebsite (External link: Japanese only)

Sori Pond / Chita City

Best viewing time: The middle of February–end of March 25 kinds of approximately 5,400 treesTransportation: Chita Bus "Ume no Yakata-guchi" Bus Stop from Asakura Station on the Meitetsu LineWebsite (External link: Japanese only)

Oike Park / Tokai City

Best viewing time: The middle of February-beginning of March 13 kinds of 300 treesTransportation: Approximate 20-minute walk from Otagawa Station on the Meitetsu LineWebsite (External link)

Mukaiyama Ryokuchi Plum Garden / Toyohashi City

Best viewing time: The middle of February-beginning of March29 kinds of approximately 400 trees (white and red plum trees) Transportation: 5-minute walk from Toyotetsu Bus "Daimachi" Bus Stop from Toyohashi Station on the Meitetsu and JR linesWebsite (External link)

Gifu Prefecture

Bairin Park / Gifu City

Best viewing time: The middle of February-middle of March Approximately 50 kinds of trees including 700 white plum trees and 600 red plum treesTransportation: Approximate 3-minute walk from "Bairinkoen-mae" Bus Stop after taking a bus from JR Gifu Station (bus stop 14/15) or Gifu Bus TerminalWebsite (External link)

Schedule

The end of January–middle of March

Weeping Plum Tree Festival

View the flowers of approximately 700 trees, both red and white plum trees, as they come into bloom. Enjoy a petting zoo with small animals, street performances (*cancelled on rainy days), an open-air market, and bonsai display during the event period. *Parking during the event period is 500 yen.

Schedule

From the middle of February to the end of March9:00 AM–4:30 PM (Changes possible due to blooming circumstances. Held everyday during the event period.)

Nagoya Dezomeshiki Firefighting Ceremony and Drills 2018

Featuring all the firefighting equipment for ground, sea, and air, such as fire engines, fire boats, firefighting helicopters, and more. Watch approximately 2,000 firefighting staff marching in line and performing rescue drills, as well as the simultaneous discharging of water and other firefighting drills.In addition, events and a display of fire engines are held in the Shobo Fureai space.

Schedule

January 14 (Sun), 201810:00 AM–11:45 AM

Place

Garden Pier, Port of NagoyaMinato-machi, Minato-ku, Nagoya

Access

Nagoyako Station on the Meiko subway line

TEL

+81-52-972-3504

Admission Fee

Free

2017-2018 Year-end and New Year Holiday Special Feature

An abundance of fun, must-see New Year's events during the year-end and new year holiday like countdown events, the tolling of temple bells, the first visit of the year to a shrine or temple, and special new year events. Have a wonderful time bringing in the new year in Nagoya with family and friends.

New Year's Eve Events

"Nagoya Castle Countdown Show!" and Opening of Nagoya Castle's Gates in the New Year

◆"Nagoya Castle Countdown Show!"Date and time: 9:00 p.m.-1:30 a.m. (closing at 2:00 a.m.), December 31, 2017 (Sun)◆Opening of the gates in the new yearDate and time: 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (closing at 5:00 p.m.), January 1, 2018 (Mon/National holiday)◆teamLab: Floating, Resonating Spheres - Nagoya CastleDate: December 23, 2017 (Sat/National holiday)-January 14, 2018 (Sun)Time: 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. (excluding December 31 and January 1)Location: Nagoya CastleCount down together with Nagoya's idol group "Team Syachihoko" and the members of "Nagoya Omotenashi Bushotai."In this event period, you can enjoy Nagoya Castle shining in an environment filled with a mysterious light produced by teamLab's digital art.For more details, click here.

Nagashima Countdown & New Year's Party 2018

Date and time: 8:00 p.m., December 31, 2017 (Sun)-3:00 a.m., January 1, 2018 (Mon/National holiday)Location: Nagashima Spa Land (External link)Enjoy live performances by famous artists and fireworks. You can also enjoy the amusement park rides.For more details, click here. (Japanese only)

Date: December 31-January 1Location: Temples everywhereIn Japan, the tolling of bells on New Year's Eve is done in what is called Joya no Kane. The bells are struck 108 times. It is said that within people dwell 108 worldly temptations (responsible for deceiving people's hearts and causing suffering in them), and the bells are run to expel those temptations. There are many temples where you yourself can strike the bell.For more details, click here.

Date and time: 6:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m., January 1, 2018 (Mon/National holiday)(Final admission at 7:30 a.m.)Location: Nagoya TV TowerYou can watch the first sunrise of the year from two observation decks; the Sky Deck (90-meters high, indoor) and the Sky Balcony (100-meters high, outdoor). *Admission limited to 400 people.

Date and time: 5:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m., January 1, 2018 (Mon/National holiday) (Tentative)Location: Midland Square Sky PromenadeYou can watch the first sunrise of the year from the tallest building in Nagoya.

First Visit of the Year to a Shrine or Temple

First Visit of the Year to a Shrine or Temple

Date and time: JanuaryLocation: Temples, shrines, etc.Japan has a custom, known as hatsumoude, where people visit temples and shrines in the beginning of the new year. People pray to ensure that the new year will be a good year.For more details, click here.

Other

Matsu wo Kotobuku, Celebrating New Year at Tokugawaen

Date: January 2 (Tue)-January 3 (Wed), 2018Time: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.*Closed: Mondays (if a national holiday or compensatory holiday, the immediately following weekday), Year-end and New Year Holiday (December 29-January 1)Location: TokugawaenThis is a special event held to celebrate the new year.From 9:30 a.m. on January 2 (Tue), a drawing is held and warm adzuki bean soup is served to the first 300 guests to arrive. Also, tree peonies, a feature of Japan's winters, are displayed from January 2 through February 18.

New Year Tea Party at Shirotori Garden

Date and time: 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., January 6 (Sat)-January 8, 2018 (Mon/National holiday)Location: Shirotori GardenEnjoy tea ceremony in Seiu-tei, a tea house authentically built in with sukiya-style architecture, while gazing at beautiful yukizuri (ropes to prevent branches from snapping under heavy snow) scenery. A traditional Japanese instrument concert is also held.

Chinese New Year Festival in Nagoya

Date and time: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (from 11:00 a.m. on January 6 (Sat)), January 6 (Sat)-January 8, 2018 (Mon/National holiday)Location: Hisaya Plaza, Hisaya Odori ParkThe traditional Chinese lunar new year's "Chinese New Year Festival" is held. Learn about Chinese culture through this traditional festival. You can also get a taste of flavors, scents, and emotions. For more details, click here.

November 22 (Wed)-December 25 (Mon), 2017
Illumination Program: 4:00 PM-11:00 PM (Held every 30 minutes)
Location: KITTE Nagoya (Nagoya Station)
In the first floor's atrium, an actual Japanese fir is used for a large Christmas tree. An illumination program creating an exciting Christmas ambience with both light and sound.WebsiteExternal Link
*Japanese page only

Noritake Garden's Christmas Garden

November 11 (Sat)-December 25 (Mon), 2017
Illumination time: After sundown-7:00 PM
*Closed: Mondays (Open on 12/25 (Mon).)
Location: Noritake Garden (Kamejima Station on the Higashiyama subway line / Me~guru Nagoya Sightseeing Route Bus "Noritake Garden" Bus Stop
This year too, a giant Santa Claus is making an appearance. The garden is filled with color with the main illumination of a giant, 14-meter high Christmas tree.WebsiteExternal Link

November 18 (Sat), 2017-February 25 (Sun), 2018
・1:00 PM-8:00 PM (Weekdays)
・10:00 AM-8:00 PM (Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and 12/24-1/6)
Location: Oasis 21 (Sakae Station on the Higashiyama and Meijo subway lines)
You can skate on this rink as it is made of a special plastic material.WebsiteExternal Link

Nagoya Christmas Market 2017

December 9 (Sat)-December 25 (Mon), 2017
Weekdays: 3:00 PM-8:30 PM
Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and December 25 (Mon): 11:00 AM-8:30 PM
Location: Hisaya Square in Hisaya-Odori Park (Yaba-cho Station on the Meijo subway line)
Sales of local European cuisine like hot, sweet German wine, sausages, and sweets; sales of Christmas merchandise; lessons on how to make your own snow dome; and more. Free admission.WebsiteExternal Link

Flarie Christmas 2017

November 18 (Sat)-December 25 (Mon), 2017
Illumination: 5:00 PM-10:00 PM
Location: Hisaya-Odori Garden Flarie (3-minute walk south from Exit 4 of Yaba-cho Station on the Meijo subway line)
A romantic feel in the park with a 3-meter high Poinsettia Tree flower arrangement, foreign-style buildings and carriages, and illuminations with heart and other shaped decorative pieces. *Illumination starts from 11/25 (Sat).WebsiteExternal Link

ASUNAL KANAYAMA loves Barbie

November 17 (Fri), 2017-February 28 (Wed), 2018
5:00 PM-11:00 PM (Tentative)
Location: ASUNAL KANAYAMA (Kanayama Station on the subway, Meitetsu, and JR lines)
A collaboration with Barbie, the eternal dream of every girl. Full of photogenic spots allowing you to experience the world through Barbie's eyes.WebsiteExternal Link
*Japanese page only

Shirotori Garden's Akari Art

December 1 (Fri)-December 10 (Sun), 2017 *Closed on 12/4 (Mon).
Sundown-9:00 PM
Location: Shirotori Garden (10-minute walk from Exit 4 of Jingu Nishi Station on the Meijo subway line)
Akari lantern art made with Mino-washi Japanese paper and illumination of autumn leaves with Japanese lanterns.WebsiteExternal Link

Port of Nagoya

Port of Nagoya, FIREWORKS by NAKED -Radiant Snow Fireworks-
December 2 (Sat)-December 25 (Mon), 2017
5:30 PM-9:00 PM
*5:30 PM-7:00 PM on December 24 (Sun) due to a fireworks festival
Location: Near Nagoya Port Building (Just outside Nagoyako Station on the Meiko subway line)
"Kaleido fireworks" shows are performed once every 20 minutes in the motif of the beautifully sparkling inside of a kaleidoscope.WebsiteExternal Link
*Japanese page only

ISOGAI Fireworks Theater in Port of Nagoya

December 24 (Sun), 2017
7:00 PM-7:45 PM
Location: All around Garden Pier, Port of Nagoya (Just outside Nagoyako Station on the Meiko subway line)
Paired with music, fireworks soar upward creating an Xmas story in a beautiful fireworks musical.WebsiteExternal Link
*Japanese page only

Outside Nagoya

Centrair sky illumination -The Cathedral's Bell-

October 27 (Fri), 2017-March 31 (Sat), 2018
5:30 PM-10:30 PM
*Starting at 6:00 PM from February 1 (Thu)
Location: Sky Deck on 4F of the Passenger Terminal Building, Chubu Centrair International Airport (A short walk from Central Japan International Airport Station on the Meitetsu Airport Line)
This year's theme is the bells found in cathedrals. Enjoy an illumination depicting a cathedral beyond layers upon layers of shining lights adorning a transept's arch. *Free admissionWebsiteExternal Link

Nabana no Sato Illumination

October 14 (Sat), 2017-May 6 (Sun), 2018
Around sundown-final business hours
Location: Nabana no Sato (30-minute ride by Meitetsu Bus from Nagoya Station)
One of the largest illumination events in Japan. The beautiful scenery of Kumamoto such as the Aso region and Kumamoto Castle is recreated as the motif of this grand illumination, and there is also a tunnel of light with the motif of cherry blossoms.WebsiteExternal Link

Nagoya's Autumn Leaves Special Collection

The leaves of the trees in gardens throughout Nagoya change into reds and yellows from around the middle of November, showing you autumn has come.
Establishments open at night as well as illuminations and other events are held. Enjoy things in a different view than in the daytime.

Nagoya city area

Yagotosan Koshoji Temple

Best viewing time: The middle of November-beginning of December 100 trees such as Japanese maples・Illumination: With the condition of the leaves, sundown-about 9:00 PM・Autumn Leaves Festival: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM on 12/2Transportation: 3-minute walk from Exit 1 of Yagoto Station on the Tsurumai and Meijo subway linesWebsiteExternal Link

Tokugawaen (Closed: Mondays)

Best viewing time: The middle of November-beginning of December About 300 trees such as Japanese maples・Illumination: Sundown-8:30 PM on 11/17-11/19 and 11/23-11/26Transportation: Just next to Me~guru Nagoya Sightseeing Route Bus "④Tokugawaen" Bus Stop 10-minute walk from the south exit of JR Ozone StationWebsiteExternal Link

Shirotori Garden (Closed: Mondays)

Best viewing time: The end of November-beginning of December About 1,500 trees such as Japanese maples and Enkianthus perulatus・Illumination: 11/18-12/10・Maple Viewing Event and Tea Ceremony: November 18, 19, 23, 25, and 26Transportation: 10-minute walk from Exit 4 of Jingu Nishi Station on the Meijo subway lineWebsiteExternal Link

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens (Closed: Mondays)

Best viewing time: The middle of November-beginning of December 500 trees such as Japanese maples and Acer pycnanthum・Leaf viewing event: 11/7-12/3・Illumination: 11/17-11/19 and 11/23-11/26 (*Only botanical garden open until 8:30 PM)Transportation: Hoshigaoka Station and Higashiyama Koen Station on the Higashiyama subway lineWebsiteExternal Link

Meijo Park

Best viewing time: The middle of November-end of November Chinese tallow trees, gingko trees, Japanese zelkovas, etc.Transportation: 2-minute walk from Exit 2 of Meijo Koen Station on the Meijo subway lineWebsiteExternal Link

Seto City

Iwayado Park

Best viewing time: The middle of November About 200 trees along the river such as maples・Japanese Maple Festival: 11/1-11/30・Illumination: 5:30 PM-9:00 PM on 11/11-11/19Inquiries: +81-561-85-2730Transportation: Approximate 20-minute taxi ride from Meitetsu Owari Seto Station

Jokoji Temple/Jokoji Park

Best viewing time: The middle of November About 200 trees such as maples・Japanese Maple Festival: 11/1-11/30Inquiries: +81-561-85-2730Transportation: Approximate 15-minute walk from JR Jokoji Station

Toyota City

Korankei

Best viewing time: The middle of November-end of November About 4,000 trees with 11 kinds, such as Japanese maples・Japanese Maple Festival: 11/1-11/30・Illumination: Sundown-9:00 PM on 11/1-11/30Inquiries: +81-565-62-1272Transportation: Toyota Oiden Bus "Korankei" Bus Stop from Josui Station on the Meitetsu Toyota Line (approximately 1 hour)

Obara Shikizakura Festival

Best viewing time: The beginning of November-end of November A combination of about 10,000 trees featuring winter cherry blossoms and autumn leaves・Obara Shikizakura Festival: 11/1-11/30Inquiries: +81-565-65-3808Transportation: Toyota Oiden Bus for Kaminigi on the Obara/Toyota route from the east exit of Meitetsu Toyotashi Station (approximately 1 hour)

Inuyama City

Jakkoin Temple

Best viewing time: The middle of November-beginning of December 1,000 Japanese and other maple trees・Japanese Maple Festival: 11/11-12/10Inquiries: +81-568-61-0035Transportation: 20-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride from Meitetsu Inuyamayuen Station, 2 kilometers upstream of the Kiso River.

Tokai City

Shurakuen Park

Best viewing time: The middle of November-beginning of December About 550 trees with seven kinds including Japanese maples・Japanese Maple Festival: 11/13-11/26 *Event on 11/19Inquiries: +81-562-32-5149Transportation: 5-minute walk east of Meitetsu Shurakuen Station